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Increased concentration of lipoprotein(a) is a risk factor of coronary heart disease. lipoprotein(a) consists of LDL-like and highly polymorphic apolipoprotein(a). Here we studied the effect of lipoprotein(a)-containing sera with different apolipoprotein(a) phenotypes on lipid accumulation by THP-1 monocyte-like cells. Cholesterol concentration in lysates of THP-1 cells was significantly higher after their incubation with lipoprotein(a)-containing serum samples with low-molecular-weight phenotype of apolipoprotein(a) in comparison with samples with a high-molecular-weight apolipoprotein(a) phenotype irrespective of initial cholesterol level as well as serum concentrations of apoB-100, oxidized LDL, and circulating immune complexes. The presence of the most atherogenic small dense LDL subfractions in examined sera in addition to a low-molecular-weight apolipoprotein(a) phenotype resulted in significant elevation of cholesterol accumulation by THP-1 cells. The data obtained explain greater atherogenicity of lipoprotein(a) with low-molecular-weight apolipoprotein(a) phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of clinical studies on the comparative effectiveness of different forms of the drug Cytovir-3 (syrup and powder for solution for oral administration) and Immunal l in the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections in children. It was found in a comparative randomized parallel-group study of 90 children aged two through six years that the drug Cytovir-3 (syrup and powder) became active faster than the comparison drug Immunal, providing normalization of body temperature, reduction of some manifestations of the general intoxication and respiratory syndrome, as well as elevated levels of serum immunoglobulin A. All drugs in the study had an equally normalizing effect on the content of peripheral blood leukocytes and erythrocyte sedimentation rates. The compared products were characterized by good tolerability, lack of side effects and high preventive efficacy against respiratory disease complications. Cytovir-3 drugs (syrup and powder for oral solution) and Immunal had similar ratios of clinical and laboratory safety, efficacy and tolerability. Both products can be used for the treatment of respiratory diseases in children aged two through six years.

DNA aptamer based sorbents are synthesized for binding human IgE. Sorbents effectively removed IgE from human blood plasma. The experimental values of IgE desorption constants were from 11 x 10(-l0) to 1.7 x 10(-10) M depending on the orientation of the aptamer, an insoluble matrix. The sorbents were stable during multiple use. Conditions for sorbent regeneration were picked up. These chromatographic materials can be used for medical and biotechnological applications.

We studied effect of cascade plasma filtration on subfractions of low density lipoproteins (LDL) in 16 patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and hyperlipidemias refractory to drug therapy. The procedure caused 37.6 ± 1.4%, 43.1 ± 2.5%, and 50.9 ± 1.4% lowering of total, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B-100, respectively. The use of filters led to removal of larger less atherogenic LDL-1 and LDL-2 subfractions with relative accumulation of small dense LDL-3, LDL-4, and LDL-5 subfractions. Lowering of concentrations of all LDL subfractions was caused by specific LDL apheresis by immunosorbtion in 4 patients with IHD. Removal of small dense LDL was more effective than that of large less atherogenic LDL-1 and LDL-2 subfraction. Thus we found differences in spectrum of LDL removed by cascade plasma filtration and immunosorbtion. The use of filters was associated with less effective removal of most atherogenic small dense LDL than of large LDL particles what led to redistribution of concentrations of various LDL subfractions towards atherogenic profile of lipoproteins. These results could constitute a basis for revision of methods of conduct of cascade plasma filtration procedures in patients with IHD.

Objective: Lipoprotein(a) - Lp(a) is an independent risk factor of atherosclerosis and its complications. In spite of the long period of Lp(a) research there is no complete understanding of its physiological role and atherogenic action. The goal of this study was to investigate the presence in human plasma of circulating autoantibodies to Lp(a) belonging to different classes of immunoglobulins, and to elucidate their relationship to the presence and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in middle aged patients with coronary heart disease., Material and Methods: Autoantibodies to Lp(a) and LDL level were measured in 97 men with quantitative angiography data. Among these patients 17 had intact vessels and 80 had stenoses >50% in 1 or more large coronary arteries., Results: Lp(a) level in patients with coronary atherosclerosis (CA) was significantly higher (median 19.0 [95%CI 12.9-27.3] mg/dl) than in patients without CA (median 10.2 [95%CI 4.5-18.3] mg/dl, p=0.05). Level of IgG autoantibodies to Lp(a) was also elevated in patients with verified CA (264 ± 188 and 187 ± 59 RLU, respectively, p=0,003). Correlation analysis showed significant association between Lp(a) concentration and presence of CA (r=0.20, p=0.05). Level of antibodies against Lp(a) correlated with the quantity of affected coronary arteries (r=0.27, p=0.008)., Conclusion: Plasma concentration of Lp(a) as well as elevated level of autoantibodies to Lp(a) were associated with the presence and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in examined patients.

The article deals with specification of technique of immune-enzyme analysis to detect autoantibodies to beta-adrenergic receptors (beta1-AP) using compound of oligopeptids representing the fragmentations of extracellular sites beta1-AP and chimeric molecule of extracellular section of receptor This technique significantly exceeds the analogues defined in publications by its sensitivity and correlation with diagnosis.

There was investigated the relationship of lipid metabolism, humoral immunity, high sensitivity C-reactive protein and soluble receptors for TNF-alpha with the presence, severity and prognosis of the disease in 85 patients with morphologically verified diagnosis of prostate cancer. Connection with the dynamics of change in PSA as a major predictor of the disease was observed for concentration sRI and sRII to TNF, PSA baseline, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. During follow-up the relative risk of poor prognosis increased by 3 times, and death-in 8.7 times with increasing concentrations of soluble receptors for TNF. The concentration of soluble receptors for TNF may serve as an additional predictor of the presence and clinical course of disease in patients with prostate cancer.

Purpose: To assess effects of niacin on risk factors of atherosclerosis in men with coronary heart disease (CHD) and high lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels., Material and Methods: Sixty men (mean age 54+/-6 years) with angiographic evidence of CHD were randomized into two groups. Active group (n=30) received extended release nicotinic acid 1500 mg, control group consisted of remaining 30 patients. All patients received basic therapy with atorvastatin 10-40 mg qd. Blood samples were collected for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), Lp(a), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PL-2), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), complex of tissue-type plasminogen activator with plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (tPA/PAI-1). Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) was measured at baseline and after 6-months therapy., Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the clinical and biochemical characteristics. During the study lipid profile data were within the target levels. In the active group median percent decrease of Lp(a) level was 23% (from 84+/-40 to 67+/-25 mg/dl after 6 weeks and up to 65+/-37 mg/dl after 6 months of treatment, p<0.01); LDL-C, TG, tPA/PAI-1, and Lp-PL-2 mass levels decreased by 25, 20, 25, and 32%, respectively; HDL-C increased by 16% (p<0.05 vs baseline, respectively). Nicotinic acid treatment produced statistically significant reduction nicotinic acid of the mean CIMT (right: 0.83+/-0.16 vs 0.77+/-0.17 mm, p<0.05; left: 0.88+/-0.21 vs 0.82+/-0.17, p<0.05). In control group no changes of CIMT or blood tests were observed., Conclusion: In men with CHD and Lp(a) excess of addition to atorvastatin results in regression of CIMT on an average of 0.06 mm in 6 months. Such rapid and significant effect on the arterial wall structure can be attributed to the complex influence of nicotinic acid on Lp(a), lipids, Lp-PL-2 and thrombogenic factors. This is the first study providing the evidence of using Lp(a) as one of therapeutic targets in patients with high Lp(a) levels for achieving beneficial effect on a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis.

Study aim was to investigate the association of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] level with the development of cardiovascular complications in long-term follow-up period after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Patients with chronic ischemic heart disease (IHD) (n = 361, 88% men, mean age 55 +/- 9 years) who had had CABG were included in the study. Before surgery we assessed presence of classical risk factors, left ventricular ejection fraction, concentrations of lipids and Lp(a) in blood serum. During follow-up (from 1 to 140, mean 66 +/- 34 months) we registered cardiac deaths, nonfatal myocardial infarctions (MI), strokes, repeat procedures of revascularization, and hospitalizations due to relapse or progression of angina pectoris. Information on prognosis was obtained from 263 patients. In 109 of them we registered 142 serious events including cardiac death n = 20 (14%), nonfatal MI n = 14 (10%), myocardial revascularization (n = 35), 29 (20%) with stenting), repeat CABG n = 6 (4%), hospitalization due to angina pectoris n = 53 (37%), stroke n = 4 (3%), noncardiac outcome n = 16 (10%). In subjects with hyperlipidemia (a) [HLp(a) - Lp(a) > 30 mg/l] survival after CABG was lower (log rank p < 0.001): 11 of 93 (11.3%) and 9 of 170 (5.2%) patients died among those with Lp(a) > 30 and < 30 mg/I, respectively. Relative risk (RR) of any cardiovascular complication was 3.24 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.18 to 4.83, p < 0.001), of death - 2.89 (95% CI 1.31 to 6.35, p < 0.01), and of MI A 1.01 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.02; p = 0.02). RR of development of MI and cardiac death in patients with HLp(a) in 5 years was 2.61 (95% CI 1.11 to 5.74; p = 0.02), in 10 years - 2.95 (95% CI 1.50 to 5.79; p < 0.001). In patients with chronic IHD high level of Lp(a) can serve as independent predictor of unfavorable events including death and nonfatal MI during 10 years after CABG.

Preparation and stability of a few examples of medical sorbents are described. A simple and practical technique has been developed for sorbent preparation with the low weight synthetic ligands such as amino acids, peptides or oligosaccharides. This approach to sorbent preparation enables the development of the new affine columns generation for medicine and biotechnology to be carried out with ease.

Two fragments corresponding to the 125-133 and 206-218 sequences of a molecule of the beta(1) adrenoreceptor (autoantibodies to this protein are often found in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy) were synthesized by the solid phase method with the use of Fmoc technology. Two new conformational antigens were prepared by directed (regioselective) and undirected (spontaneous) formation of intramolecular and intermolecular disulfide bridges between the corresponding cysteine residues of the synthesized peptides. One of these antigens consisted of a mixture of disulfide isomers, and another antigen was an isomer with a natural arrangement of S-S bridges. Immunosorbents were obtained by immobilization of the synthesizes antigens on the bromocyanogenactivated sepharose and applied to the removal of autoantibodies in a beta(1)-adrenoreceptor from the blood plasma of patients. We demonstrated that the sorbents on the basis of the conformational antigens were more effective in comparison with those containing linear peptide precursors.

Aim: To determine distribution of different atherosclerosis risk factors and their correlation with severity of coronary arteries (CA) affection in young men., Material and Methods: A total of 235 males aged 28-45 years were examined with coronarography which detected more than 50% narrowing in one or several major CA in 200 patients (the study group with coronary artery disease), 35 males without coronary stenosis served control. Atherosclerosis risk factors, serum lipids, lipoprotein(a), fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed., Results: Smoking and hyperlipidemia (HLE) were registered in the study group more frequently. The level of lipoprotein(a) above 30 mg/dl was recorded in 98 (49%) and 7 (20%) patients of the study and control group, respectively (p = 0.001). As shown by a correlation analysis, the number of affected CA was associated with smoking (r = 0.2; p < 0.001), HLE (r = 0.23; p < 0.001), concentration of total cholesterol (r = 0.23; p < 0.0.001), lipoprotein (a) (r = 0.26; p < 0.001) and CRP (r = 0.26; p < 0.05). The level of lipoprotein(a) in patients with myocardial infarction and occluded artery was significantly higher than in patients without myocardial infarction and non-occlusive CA affection., Conclusion: The presence and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in young men with coronary artery disease are associated with smoking, HLE and high concentration of lipoprotein (a).

A simple and economic method of radial immunodiffusion is developed for diagnostic measurements of beta 2-microglobulin in human serum. Human serum and plasma concentrations of beta 2-microglobulin can be measured sufficiently accurately; the results are reproducible. The reproducibility and addictiveness of the method were evaluated. The error of the method is no more than 15% (3-36 mg/liter), which is permissible for methods of this type.

Aim: To study a correlation between lipoprotein(a) [LP(a)], as well as the phenotype of apoprotein(a) [apo(a)] and the presence of intermittent claudication (IC)., Materials and Methods: The study included 25 patients (9 females, 16 males; mean age, 63.4 +/- 8.2 years) and 50 individuals (21 females, 29 males; mean age, 61.3 +/- 6.1 years) of a control group., Results: In the patients, the level of LP(a) was 3 times higher than in the controls (median 39 and 13 mg/dl, respectively; p < 0.01). The low molecular-weight phenotypes of apo(a) occurred significantly more frequently in the patients than those in the controls (62 and 28%, respectively; p = 0.02)., Conclusion: Multifactorial analysis has shown that the level of Lp(a) is an independent and important factor associated with the presence of IC.

There are limited data concerning influence of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on lipid profile in women with type 2 diabetes. Aim of the study was to compare changes of blood lipids during HRT in postmenopausal women with and without type 2 diabetes. Seventy seven women included in the study were assigned to 1 of 4 groups, basing on being diabetic or nondiabetic, and further subdivided into users of estrogen alone (ERT), and of estrogen plus progestin (EPRT). Effect of 6-month ERT (oral estradiol valerate 2 mg/day) and EPRT (oral estradiol valerate 2 mg/day sequentially combined with cyproterone acetate 1 mg/day) on total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] was separately assessed. EPRT and ERT caused decrease in LDL-C by 15% and 12%, and increase in HDL-C by 12% and 13%, respectively, in patients with diabetes (p<0.05 in all cases). LDL-C decreased by 11% and 15%, respectively, in women without diabetes (p<0.05 in all cases). Lp(a) was also reduced 25% with EPRT (p<0.01) and ERT (p<0.05). HDL-C increased 10% (p<0.05) with ERT but remained unchanged with EPRT. In conclusion, changes in all lipid parameters except Lp(a) caused by ERT and EPRT were comparable in postmenopausal women with and without type 2 diabetes.

Relationship between level of lipoprotein (a) and presence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) was studied in 191 patients with hypertensive disease (essential hypertension) (112 men, 79 women, age 56.9-/+10.6 years) and 33 patients with normal blood pressure (23 men, 10 women, age 50.8-/+11.0 years). Concentration of lipoprotein (a) in men with hypertension and IHD (n=62) was significantly higher than in men with hypertension without IHD (n=50) (median 19 and 9 mg/dl, respectively, p=0.02). Women with hypertension and with (n=23) and without (n=56) IHD had similar blood levels of lipoprotein (a) (median 13 and 15 mg/dl, respectively, p=0.89). Difference in lipoprotein (a) levels between patients with hypertensive disease and those with normal blood pressure was not significant (median 14 and 10 mg/dl, respectively, p=0.50).

Aim: To evaluate in a case-control cross-sectional study whether lipoprotein(a) concentration and apo(a) phenotypes are associated with the presence and severity of coronary and carotid atherosclerosis., Materials and Methods: We have examined 198 male CHD patients (mean age 53 +/- 8) years) with stenosis more than 50% at least in one main coronary artery or its major branches. Duplex scanning was performed in 168 patients to assess the degree of carotid atherosclerosis. Seventy six apparently healthy men (mean age 39 +/- 9 years) formed the control group. Lp(a) concentration was measured by ELISA, apo(a) phenotyping was performed by immunoblotting., Results: Lp(a) level was significantly higher in cases compared to controls: 37 +/- 31 mg/dl vs. 18 +/- 27 mg/dl, p < 0.05. Patients had low-molecular weight apo(a) phenotypes more frequently than controls: 46% vs. 29%, p = 0.01. Patients aged 45 years and younger had low-molecular weight apo(a) phenotypes more frequently than older ones (65% vs. 42%, p < 0.05) and controls (65% vs. 29%, respectively, p = 0.001). High Lp(a) level and low-molecular weight apo(a) phenotypes correlated with presence and number of coronary occlusions., Conclusion: There was association between Lp(a) level, low-molecular weight apo(a) phenotypes and presence, severity, extension of carotid atherosclerosis. No differences in distribution of other CHD risk factors among all subgroups of patients were found.

Therapeutic efficacy of remantadine and arbidole was studied in the clinical and laboratory observation of pediatric in- and outpatients with grippe and mixed viral infections in various seasonal epidemic. In the trial of remantadine 742 school children and 60 children at the age of 3 to 6 years with type A, B or A + B grippe, grippe in association with other acute viral respiratory tract infections or acute viral respiratory tract infections of nongrippe etiology were observed. 402 and 400 of them were given remantadine and placebo respectively. The drug was used in a single dose of 1.5 mg/kg body weight 3 times a day for 3 days. In the trial of arbidole 158 children at the age of 1 to 14 years with type A grippe, grippe + acute viral respiratory tract infection and acute viral respiratory tract infection of nongrippe etiology were observed. The arbidole daily dose of 10 mg/kg body weight was given in 4 portions for 5 days. Both the drugs were shown to be therapeutically efficient in all the grippe types and acute viral respiratory tract infections. The highest efficacy was observed when the use of the drugs was started at the early stages. With the use of the drugs the periods of fever, other intoxication signs and virus isolation decreased. No adverse reactions were recorded. The drugs had no inhibitory effect on the cellular and humoral immunity and on production of antiviral antibodies. The dynamics of the indices of the cellular immunity and macrophages confirmed the arbidole immunostimulating action.

Three methods for purification of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] from human plasma were compared. Method I: two-stage ultracentrifugation with subsequent gel-filtration of Lp(a) containing fractions (1.063-1.090 g/ml) on Sepharose CL-4B. Method II: ultracentrifugation followed by affinity chromatography of plasma fraction (1.063 g/ml) on anti-apoB sorbent. Method III: affinity chromatography of the whole plasma on anti-apo(a) sorbent. The Lp(a) yield of these methods is 35, 54 and 41%, respectively. The method III is preferable of these three because it permitted high purification of a large amount of Lp(a) by single-step chromatography.